Church of St Mary the Virgin, East Stoke
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Mary the Virgin at East Stoke in Stoke-sub-Hamdon
, Somerset
, England dates from the 12th century. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
The church has a tower with five bells. It shows various medieval carving including abstract corbels, an astrological tympanum
, and St Michael slaying the dragon. Two of the carvings are thought to be Sheela na Gig
s.
Stoke-sub-Hamdon
Stoke-sub-Hamdon is a village and civil parish in South Somerset, situated west of Yeovil, England. The parish is located near the River Parrett, and includes the village of East Stoke.-History:...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England dates from the 12th century. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
The church has a tower with five bells. It shows various medieval carving including abstract corbels, an astrological tympanum
Tympanum (architecture)
In architecture, a tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element....
, and St Michael slaying the dragon. Two of the carvings are thought to be Sheela na Gig
Sheela Na Gig
Sheela na gigs are figurative carvings of naked women displaying an exaggerated vulva. They are found on churches, castles and other buildings, particularly in Ireland and Britain, sometimes together with male figures. One of the best examples may be found in the Round Tower at Rattoo, in County...
s.